Blancpain Announces the Villeret Quantieme Perpetuel
The Villeret collection, named for its birthplace and fueled by Blancpain’s watchmaking genius, epitomizes the enduring value of authenticity. Its elegance celebrates the manufacturer’s profound commitment to the extraordinary complications of Swiss mechanical watchmaking. This commitment shines in the intricate perpetual calendar, which automatically compensates for the irregularities of our calendar system. This mechanical marvel will flawlessly mark the passage of time without adjustment until the unique year 2100.
Blancpain’s distinctive moon phase symbolizes more than just a complication – it’s a testament to the brand’s role in reviving mechanical watchmaking during the 1970s crisis. Their unwavering commitment fueled a return to complex horology, exemplified by the perpetual calendar. The 2024 leap year sees this legacy continue with the new Villeret Quantième Perpétuel. Its transparent caseback reveals the precision of the 5954 self-winding movement, featuring intricate finishing, a red gold honeycomb oscillating weight, a silicon balance spring, and an impressive 72-hour power reserve.
Blancpain’s perpetual calendar stands apart with its focus on the wearer’s experience. It boasts a robust movement that safeguards the intricate calendar works, protecting them even if adjustments are made during delicate phases. Perhaps even more innovative are the discreet under-lug correctors. This world-first, patented by Blancpain in 2005, revolutionized calendar adjustment – a simple finger press replaces the need for specialized tools. Hidden beneath the watch’s lugs, they preserve the purity of the timepiece’s lines, avoiding the aesthetic disruption caused by traditional corrector dimples. These innovative features work in harmony with a meticulously designed dial that prioritizes clarity and balance, ensuring exceptional legibility even amidst the complexity.
The deep green sunburst dial evokes the natural beauty of Vallée de Joux, where skilled artisans of the Grandes Complications workshop create this exceptional calendar. A rich brown alligator strap symbolizes the region’s long and celebrated legacy of nurturing watchmaking excellence. The Villeret collection’s signature double-stepped case, crafted in luminous red gold, along with matching hands and hour markers, add a contrasting touch and luxurious warmth to the timepiece. Effortlessly combining complex mechanics with user-friendly design, this new Villeret Quantième Perpétuel honours the distinctive nature of the leap year 2024.
Price is AUD $80,600. More information about the watch can be found here.